Hand-stamp



(No Model.) O. W. MA Ni HAND ST No. 589,007. Patented Aug. 31,1897. v

o ing the printing surface or die 8 secured to UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC CHARLES V. MARTIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HAN D-S TAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 589,007, dated August 31, 1897.

Application filed November 16, 1896. Serial No. 612,221. (No model.)

To all whom it may (Jo/worn.-

Be it known thatl, CHARLES WV. MARTIN, of Chicago, Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Handles for Rubber Stamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvementin the class of devices which are known as handstamps and of which the rubber stamp is the most familiar example. These handstamps' are usually composed of a block or mount having a die of rubber, composing the printing-surface in some cases, and in some instances also rubber type is used and is held in a wood or metal holder. lhese stamps are provided with handles, which are grasped when the stamp is to be used, and the impression is made by striking the stamp down upon the paper or other surface. As there is nothing to guide or control the movements of the hand or prevent an unequal pressure upon the face of the stamp or die it frequently happens that ablurred impression results, or an impression which is lighter in some parts than in others.

One of the objects of my invention is to pro- Another object of my inventionis to provide rubber stamps with an interchangeable handle, which may be applied to any one of a series of stamps, thus making thearticle more compact in shipment, storage, and more convenient in use.

My invent-ion is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation, sectional, through the mount or body of the stamp. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the body or mount, showing an elastic cushion in a cavity thereof. Fig. 3 shows the handle; Fig. 4:, the elastic cushion; Fig. 5, a section through the mount, showing the cavity for the cushion; and Fig. 6, an elevation of the handle with the elastic cushion in sectional view.

In the drawings, let 7 represent the mount or body, which is usually a block of wood, havone face thereof. In the side or face of the mount opposite the die is provided a cavity I a 9, which is preferably slightlydovetailed and is adapted to receive therein a suitable cushion 10 of some elastic material, preferably sponge-rubber, and of cylindrical form and having a central aperture 11.

12 represents the handle, which may be of any convenient form and is preferably provided with a reduced portion forming an integral' stem 13, terminating in head 14. This head should be of greater diameter than the diameter of the aperture 11 inthe cushion 10, but of such size relatively thereto as to enable the user to force the stem into the aperture of the cushion, and the latter, by reason of its elasticity, will close upon said stem and around the head thereof and afford a sufficient hold upon the handle to enable the stamp 'to be picked up and applied to the surface on which the impression is to be made.

In making the impression the stamp is used even if the stamp strike upon one end or one edge, because the handle will flex sufficiently to permit the stamp to right itself and give a uniform pressure to the surface and therefore produce a uniform impression.

It will be observed that this handle with its cushion maybe readily detached from the body of the stamp and as readily applied to any one of a series of stamps having a similar cavity to receive the cushion-handle, and therefore, instead of the series or collection of rubber stamps, each provided with its separate handle in accordance with the common practice, my invention provides a cushion.

handle applicable to a series of similarly-- formed stamp bodies or mounts, thus resultingin economy both of original cost and space upon the desk where stamps are kept and also affording a superior instrument.

While the precise manner of use does not constitute a part of my invention, I prefer in all cases to apply the cushion to the handle in such manner that it shall be a part thereof and be transferred from one body or mount to the other in use. I also provide the mount or body with a cavity to receive the cushion,

and rest entirely within the cavity of the body below the surface thereof and having a vertical socket to receive the shank and head of the handle and thereby operatively connect the handle and body, substantially as set because thereby the extent of flexibility may be regulated and a suitable support provided for the cushion itself.

The combination, with the stamp-body having a cavity therein, of a detachable handle I forth.

therefor having a projecting shank or stem 1 N T provided with an enlarged head or extremity, CHARLILS MAR 1 said shank and head being substantially equal \Vitnesses:

O. C. LINTHICUM, FREDERICK C. Goomvm.

in height to the depth of the cavity in the body, and an elastic cushion adapted to be placed 

